Group D – Framing: Art and Furniture Restoration

Company Name: Center Art Studio

Style: Antique

Address: 307 West 38th Street New York, New York 10018

Telephone: 212-247-3550

Email: centerart@earthlink.net

Website: http://www.centerart.com/

Products Information / model numbers: A late 18th century North Italian settee

Approximate width: 72”

Special Remarks: Center Art Studio is a decorative arts restoration and conservation studio with experience in differing media and periods. much of their work involves the complete or limited restoration of ancient Greek and Chinese pottery, European porcelain and faience and contemplate ceramics. Photo on the left shows the object before cleaning. The settee had been covered with a thick layer of varnish during an early restoration. This layer became very dark over the years. Test cleanings revealed a strong and original layer of white lacquer with original gilding. We used solvents and swabs to remove the later layers and reveal the original. Then we filled the chips, in painted the lacquer and touched up the damaged gilding using matching gold leaf.